Otatara School Newsletter - Thursday 27 February 2020 - Term 1 Week 4

Connected, self managing learners, striving for excellence

Tēnā koutou katoa ngā mihi ki te whānau ō te Kura ō Otatara - greetings to all families of Otatara School. TI KOUKA’S ART WORK It is wonderful to see the 2019 Ti Kouka team artwork depicting the life cycle of the salmon now displayed on the fence connecting the school and kindergarten. We are delighted to have this taonga that reflects Ti Kouka’s connection with and knowledge of the importance of this species in our local area and the ways that we can contribute to their ongoing survival.

NIGEL LATTA - THE LOWDOWN ON PARENTING Tonight at 7:00pm at the Civic Theatre Nigel Latta will be providing insights, tips and invaluable advice on parenting with proceeds going towards the funding of a Chat Bus (counselling service) for 5 Invercargill schools (Waihopai, Myross Bush, Salford, Tisbury and our school). I hope you are able to support this event and help bring Chat Bus to our school. PEER MEDIATORS Last week our Deputy Principal Peter Nielsen-Vold (Mr N-V) trained 76 students to undertake peer mediation duties in the playground. Students are taught how to use a scripted process to engage in restorative conversations to help resolve minor playground issues. Being a peer mediator is one of the many ways that students give service and provide leadership in our school as well as learning lifelong skills related to problem solving, managing relationships and resolving conflict. SPORTS Our school has 4 futsal teams of 30 students, 6 water polo teams of 70 students, 5 touch rugby teams, made up of 40 students and 5 cricket teams comprising 30 students that have started competition this year. Further sports will be available at various times throughout the year. Currently, sports are advertised in the daily notices that are read to students every morning and via our communication app Skool Loop. If students are interested they collect permission/information slips from the office foyer to take home. The slips are then returned to school where Mr N-V organises the teams. Details of where sports are offered is available on our website:- http://www.otatara.school.nz/parent_information.html PLAY AND PICNIC Next week, (Thursday 5 March, 5:30pm-6:30pm) weather permitting, we are hosting a Community Games and Picnic event. Games will be available for play from 5.30pm to 6.00pm and each class has been learning/practising a game to play with whānau.

¨ Kowhai (Room 1) - Duck Duck Goose - a chasing game ¨ Miro (Room 2) - Octopus/Seaweed - another chasing

game ¨ Matai (Room 3) Sharks and Fish - a tag strategy game ¨ Totara (Room 4) - Pegasaurus - a tag type game ¨ Ponga (Room 5) - Rob the Nest - a team strategy game ¨ Manuka (Room 6) - Two great warm up games

Mitimiti - improves hand-eye coordination. In pairs children are trying to touch shoulder, knees or hips without moving their feet Whano Whano - like rock, paper scissors except using your feet

¨ Ti Kouka (Rooms 8/9) - Horo Hopu - played with poi toa and Four Corners - a strategy game

¨ Kahikatea/Kotukutuku (Rooms 11/12) - Amoeba Hoola - aim of the game is to be the first team to jump into their hoop without touching the hoop. In groups of 3, teams jump each time the whistle is blown. Feet need to remain together and hands connected at all times. If one of the rules is broken, the whole team has to go back to the start.

¨ Tarata and Pokaka (Rooms 13/14) Ki-o-rahi - one team has the objective of hitting the inner barrel with the ki (ball) and the other team obtains points by scoring a ‘try’ after touching the pou (outer poles)

We hope you can join us for some physical fun and frivolity or alternatively just come along and enjoy watching the students engage in the games. A coffee cart will be on site as well as a sausage sizzle run by our hard working parent group so you might like to bring along a little cash.

Otatara School Newsletter - Thursday 27 February 2020 - Term 1 Week 4

Connected, self managing learners, striving for excellence

Road Patrol Roster Monday 02 March to Friday 06 March

Monday Keri Cribb-Broomfield Tuesday Blair/Anita Cooper Wednesday Ngarita Hedges Thursday Colin/Bonny Lawrence Friday Leanne Gilmour

If for some reason you are unavailable on your rostered day please swap with another parent.

If for some reason you are unavailable on your rostered day please swap with another parent.

WANT TO BE IN THE LOOP? You need Skool Loop, our new communications app - a free download from the Appstore or GooglePlay. Not only will you receive school and classroom notices straight to your phone but from your phone you will be able to give permission for excursions etc. notify the office of absences (you can even send an absence ahead of time by putting details in the ‘reasons’ box.) Heoi anō tāku mō ināianei - That’s all for now Nāku noa nā. - Yours sincerely

Welcome

Welcome to Fletcher Taylor, Emily Bragg, Fletcher Norton, Finn Anderson, Lauren Baird, Isla Russell, Zoey Lindsay, Kate Aurik, Avery Botting, Gibson Kelly, Alyssa

Harvey, Amelia Kemna, Amelia Febery, Emily Mitchell and Rosie Birch who started school as new entrants and Matthew McLennan, Izzy Burnby, Isabella Skellon, McLeod Driver and Khai Tran who have transferred to the Otatara area. We hope you enjoy being part of our learning community.

Congratulations to our latest Manaakitanga Award winners:-

Kate Aurik Lizzie Walker Willie Robson Mason Woodcock Scout Stephenson Cooper Bain-Gordon Bailey Moss

Otatara Parent Group Our next meeting is on Monday 02 March at 7:00pm in the school library. The Otatara Parent group is not just about fundraising but how we can best support our school and the local community. We would love to see some new faces and it is a great way to meet new people. Please like our Facebook page 'Otatara School Parent Group' so you can keep up to date with school discos, sausage sizzles and other events.

Southland A&P Show The Southland A&P Show is being held on March 07 at Donovan Park and there are many opportunities for children to take part. For example baking, rock art, creating a showbox house, decorating a seedhead, photography, class art works and many more. For more information go to:- www.southland.ap.show.co.nz or www.showdayonline.com

02 March Parent Group Meeting 7:00pm Library

05 March Community Games 5:30pm 08 March Surf to City 24 – 27 March Year 6 Camp at Tautuku 24 – 27 March Year 4/5 Outdoor Ed 30 March BOT Meeting 7.00pm Staffroom 01 – 09 April Life Education 09 April Term 1 Ends

WAIHOPAI FOOTBALL CLUB

Waihopai Football Club is looking for junior players across the grades to play in the Saturday morning football competition

which begins May 02. Based at Surrey Park we have great facilities – playing fields are in the process of being redeveloped with new lighting to

be installed. For further information contact Waric Cross 021 442784 or

Gordon Crombie 027 2045347. Or you could check out the Waihopai AFC face book page for

up to date information.

School Assembly

28 February 2:00pm Junior School Assembly 06 March 2:00pm Whole School Assembly

We hope you can join us to celebrate our learning.

Otatara School Newsletter - Thursday 27 February 2020 - Term 1 Week 4

Connected, self managing learners, striving for excellence

FREEChildren’sDayattheInvercargillFireStationSunday1stMarch11-2pm BubblesandChalk/Seedlings/Beading/FacePainting/AnimalSafety/FireTrucks/BugHotels/SausageSizzle/FruitCups/Minijeeps/Toys/Placemats/PhotoBooth/Andmore…

Community Games Night

and Picnic (bring your own)

Thursday 5th March 2020, Starts at 5:30pm

(5.30pm-6.00pm games then picnic)

A fun-filled time of games, food and family!

Every class will be hosting a game for families to learn and participate in.

Afterwards you are welcome to remain for a picnic. There will be a coffee cart available and the

parent group will be operating a $2 per sausage sizzle.